“Not Your Father’s Energy Efficiency”: New “Intelligent Efficiency” Discoveries Focus on Interconnected Systems—Not Devices such as Cars or Refrigerators; Shift in Emphasis Could Slash 12-22 Percent of Current U.S. Energy Use.

Yesterday was the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day, but as we are often reminded, every day is Earth Day. And it’s not too late to do your part to reduce pollution by saving energy, while at the same time saving money by cutting down your utility and gas bills. Spring is a great time to make some changes around your home; here are some simple things you can do today:

New Mitsubishi i-MIEV Unseats Honda Civic Natural Gas after 8 Consecutive Years at the Top

Washington, D.C.—With the auto industry back on its feet and fuel economy standards shifting into high gear, automakers provided American consumers with a huge array of vehicles and technologies to choose from in 2012. Today at greenercars.org, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released its 14th annual comprehensive environmental rankings showing how these offerings stack up.

Standards Would Deliver Fuel Savings That Would Stimulate the Economy and Job Growth.

Washington, D.C.—Proposed EPA/NHTSA fuel economy rules will lead to cost-effective consumer investments in fuel-efficient vehicles that will in turn stimulate economic activity and create an estimated net gain of 300,000 to 400,000 jobs per year on average over the period 2017 to 2025. The new rule will raise average new car and light truck fuel economy to 49.6 miles per gallon by 2025.

Listen to the streaming audio file recording of this news event (mp3) HERE

How Lack of Emphasis on Major Energy Efficiency Investments Leaves “3 Jokers in the U.S. Economic Deck”; Slashing Energy Use 60% Could Generate 2 Million Jobs & Save the Equivalent of $2600 Per Household Annually.

Looking forward into 2012, I see more reasons for optimism than pessimism. Many states and utilities are committed to ramping up their energy efficiency programs this year and even more are considering similar steps. For example, Massachusetts electric utility programs are targeting 2.4% savings this year as part of a ramp-up rate originally established a few years ago.

Federal agencies have formally proposed standards that would raise average car and light truck fuel economy to nearly 50 miles per gallon by 2025, up from the current average new auto fuel economy of about 28 miles per gallon.

This summer marked the two-year anniversary of the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) program, more fondly known as “Cash for Clunkers.” We know that the program provided consumers with a hefty chunk of money to trade in their older, inefficient vehicles for more efficient new ones. We also know that it provided a boost to carmakers and the economy by stimulating sales. Two years on, what more can we learn?

ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency
in Buildings - Papers

Overview / Mission

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. We believe that the United States can harness the full potential of energy efficiency to achieve greater economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection for all its people.